‘Sunshine on Leith’ lights up Innerleithen
I had the pleasure last night of being among the first to see Innerleithen & District Operatic Society’s 2026 production of Sunshine on Leith. The Memorial Hall was alive with a real sense of occasion, and with good reason as the opening night audience were treated to a 5 star, crowd pleaser of a show that more than earned its busy house.
Sunshine on Leith began life as a stage musical by Stephen Greenhorn, built around the songs of Scotland’s beloved, iconic duo Charlie and Craig Reid - The Proclaimers. First performed in 2007 and later adapted into a hit 2013 film, it follows the intertwined lives of three couples as they navigate love and belonging. What makes the show so special is the way familiar anthems including “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” and “Letter from America” are positioned and woven into a heartfelt story that feels unmistakably, gloriously Scottish.
The challenge with so called jukebox musicals is the risk that familiar pop or rock songs can feel awkwardly inserted into the story, potentially upsetting stuffy purists like me who love the great book musicals such as ‘Oklahoma!’ ‘Guys and Dolls’ and ‘My Fair Lady’. While anyone who knows The Proclaimers’ back catalogue could probably guess exactly what was coming next, the sheer infectiousness of the music sweeps you along, leaving you smiling in anticipation rather than second guessing the plot. That’s a credit both to Greenhorn’s thoughtful script and to the expressive, witty and human storytelling at the heart of The Proclaimers’ songs. The show is a celebration of ordinary lives told with heart and when performed by a community company like Innerleithen Operatic Society, that authenticity and sense of belonging becomes even more powerful.
The first thing that demands attention in this production is the sheer quality of the performances. Every leading player rose to the occasion, earning laughs, tears and well deserved cheers. Colin Tweedie and Johnnie M‑G, as pals Ally and Davy, carry much of the show with ease, delivering full‑blooded portrayals of ex-squaddies finding their feet back in civilian life. Colin has long been a star of the Innerleithen stage, and once again his charisma and cheek lit up every scene as Ally. Johnnie, meanwhile, was nothing short of a revelation with a performance of real depth, range and irresistible pluck. I got to sit next to his family watching him carry the show tonight, the pride could have powered the hall lights for a fortnight. Bravo indeed.
Of course, the lads are matched by their leading ladies, Liz (Davy’s sister) and Yvonne (her English nursing colleague), played with warmth and spark by Rosie Graham and Nicole Graham. The pair share effortless chemistry as workmates searching for love and security, with Rosie shining in a beautifully delivered, goosebump inducing “Letter from America” and Nicole bringing real soul to “Misty Blue”. Edinburgh lass Nicole perhaps drew the short straw in a show set closer to home than any the Society has tackled before, but her English accent never faltered. And Rosie is simply one of those performers who can lift a room the size of the Memorial Hall simply by walking on stage - she was on sparkling form throughout. How fortunate the Society is to have talent of this calibre on its stage.
The older generation is beautifully represented through Jean and Rab, Davy and Liz’s parents. As Jean, Nicola Watt is a class act. From the moment she stepped on stage she was just pure truth and warmth, instantly winning the audience’s trust - we all know a Jean. Her rendition of the title song was so moving, a moment of stillness and emotional clarity, lifted even further by the subtle, sensitive support of the string section. It was one of those rare performances that lingers long after the final note, and I suspect many in the hall felt the same lump in the throat that I did. In fact, full disclosure, I was proper greetin’, probably for the first time since I heard that song sung when Hibs finally won the Scottish Cup, but that’s another story. One for the ages, again, from Nicola Watt.
Rab is perhaps the most complex role in the show, and Roger Brydon rose to the challenge with authority. His portrayal of a flawed but fundamentally decent family man was utterly convincing and relatable. Full of spirit, laughs and vulnerability. You’d want to have a pint with Rab Henshaw, despite his faults. Rounding out the principals is Ari Wallace as Eilidh, a small but pivotal role. Ari made every second count, bringing sincerity and real heart to her touching scenes with Rab.
The leading players were supported by an ensemble that deserves a big hand. This was a company fully invested in the story they were telling and clearly having the time of their lives. Such energy and commitment in every person on the wee stage - wow! Whether filling the stage with movement (including some ladder-ography), lifting the big numbers with confident vocal harmony or adding texture to quieter scenes, the chorus gave the production its heartbeat. I loved the wholly superfluous but utterly wonderful ‘Throw the “R” Away’, the Hibs tinged ‘Let’s Get Married’ and the rousing ‘Should Have Been Loved’, all of which gave the chorus opportunities to show what they are capable of. The enthusiasm was infectious, and that sense of collective joy was picked up by the audience. It will only deepen as the run continues. Long may the party continue!
Overseeing a show of this scale is no small undertaking, and the Society is fortunate to have a first rate production team led by Brian McGlasson. Brian continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible on the Innerleithen stage - always innovating. His decision to have the cast act as stagehands this year, seamlessly shifting scenery to flow into the next scene, gave the whole production a modern, professional zip. It’s another triumph for the legendary producer, who even finds time for a very imaginative cameo… Choreographer Mo Anderson had the company in excellent shape, with big ensemble numbers like “I’m On My Way” and “Let’s Get Married” bursting with life and movement. The ten piece orchestra, under the expert control of Derek Calder, returning to the Society after a lengthy break, played with passion and precision. Derek’s love for the material shone through, and I thought the band sounded superb throughout. The sound balance was spot on, and the string section in particular added a gorgeous warmth that softened the rockier edges of the often rabble rousing score.
Production values are sometimes what separate amateur shows from the professional stage, but the deceptively simple design here would not have looked out of place in any Edinburgh theatre. A clean backdrop, beautifully lit, became a canvas for exquisitely painted miniature versions of iconic Edinburgh landmarks including Salisbury Crags, the Castle, St Giles’ Cathedral and New College, each rendered with character. Full credit to Ronnie Robertson for the inspired designs, and to Garry Millie, Doug Russell and Pam Graham for bringing them to life with such artistry. These wooden panels added atmosphere and a real sense of place.
There is a special kind of magic in community theatre, and for me ‘the opera’ has always had it in abundance. There’s something thrilling about watching our empty box of a town hall transform into a theatre for one week each year. It’s an annual reminder of what creativity and graft can achieve. I’ll admit I miss the buzz of being on that stage myself, but the sense of excitement is still there in full force when you see six months of hard work, sweat and tears burst into life under the lights.
What struck me most last night was the pride that radiated from the stage and around the auditorium. Local talent shining brightly with family, friends and neighbours supporting one another. The show demonstrated a shared sense of purpose in a society we are so often told is fractured - as Ally would say, what a load of pish. Sunshine on Leith is a show built on the idea of belonging, and Innerleithen Opera embodied that theme with this production.
To everyone involved in the show, you should feel proud as you’ve created something uplifting, heartfelt and, it must be said, professional. On top of that you’ve given our wee town another reason to come together and be connected - that’s nothing small! Enjoy every moment of what you’ve achieved this week. You’ve earned it.
Sunshine on Leith runs at Innerleithen Memorial Hall until Saturday 4 April. Limited tickets are still available for some performances - call 01896 404 908.
For transparency, I should say that I performed with Innerleithen & District Operatic Society for ten years between 2009 - 2019. Even so, the praise in this review comes from the heart and represents my own genuine, initial response to the show. Mistakes are my own.
